The Beatles Non-Harrison Lead Guitar Songs

As a self-confessed Beatles fanatic, I was aware of a few songs that George didn’t handle the lead guitar work. For instance, his decision to bring Eric Clapton into the studio in 1968 and handle the guitar solo on George’s “While My Guitar Gently Weeps” was publicly disclosed when the album was released. The live performance promotional video for “Revolution” shows John playing the lead guitar parts. Then there’s the 3-part lead guitar solos on “The End” on Abbey Road. And finally, John’s lap steel guitar work on Harrison’s “For You Blue” and his excellent lead guitar work on “Get Back” was viewed in the 1970 documentary film Let It Be. That’s the extent of what I thought I knew.

The initial genesis of the Beatles, the John/Paul union, began in the Summer of 1957 and George came into the group, the Quarrymen, through Paul in early 1958. Both Paul and George were competent lead guitar players. The bass player position was an unsettled weakness in the band up until Paul accepted it in 1961. So, George had the lead guitarist title for their remaining 9 years. But, beginning as early as 1964, his role became less absolute.

As I researched this article, I was shocked at some of the songs that John and Paul did the lead guitar work in the studio. In this article, I will both identify all of the songs that John or Paul did some or all of the lead…